Hi - New here

dreamalotmp

Hi. I am 38 and my husband is 41. We have a pre-conception counseling appointment next week and I'm curious to know if anyone went to one of these types of appointments and what questions to ask. I'm specifically wondering if we should request any pre-testing or if I should ask anything specific about my endometriosis. My husband wants to know how long we can wait before the risks get too high for Downs and/or dwarfism, etc., but I think that is sort of a silly question. Am I wrong?

Thanks for any advice! I'm very excited to have the meeting and move forward.

gobigblue

IMO, no question is a silly question.  have you started TTC yet or are you now thinking about it?  if you haven't started trying, they may not advise any testing at this point.  they may say take 6 mos and see what happens.  regardless, best of luck!!!

carladillon

Ask any question that pops into your mind - that's the point of going (and better than Googling it later!).  They may suggest genetic counseling beforehand (just reviewing the health histories of you/DH and your families) just so you can then zero in on specific disorders and get checked to see if you or DH are carriers.  My OBGYN offered it as an option when I told her we were going to start TTC, but we didn't do it as neither side has any issues.  We did meet with a genetic counselor prior to our Level II ultrasound, but that is standard operating procedure for them.

Good luck!

Julia-Henry

Hi and welcome! Ask what you want to know, and then maybe ask the doctor if there's anything else you should be asking about, or if there are other questions older moms usually ask.

You may also want to post this over on TTC After 35 - many of the ladies there have good things to suggest about pre-conception planning, beginning TTC, etc.